St James’s Palace Stakes: Runner-by-runner guide

Awtaad

Only defeat came on debut in October, since when he has improved for each race and won Irish 2,000 Guineas last time, by two-and-a-half lengths from Galileo Gold. Benefited from clear run that day, while his rival met trouble, but may well have won in any case. Ground was very testing that day and risk he could be found out on a faster surface but recent rain will ensure there is some give underfoot this time.

Cymric

Running as pacemaker for Emotionless, connections have said. Only beaten a neck in a Group One over this distance on Arc weekend as a juvenile, when Galileo Gold was a length back in third, but has not shown anything like that ability this year. Has come last in both starts so far in 2016. Most recent success, in September, came on soft ground, but not hard to imagine the principals shooting past him in the straight.

Ehtiraas

Maiden after three races, getting headed close home on each occasion, most recently at Salisbury last week. Untested on ground softer than good. Doesn’t belong in this company on pedigree or performance so far.

Emotionless

Intriguing return to action for horse who promised much as a juvenile but flopped when last seen in October. By top-class sire out of a Breeders’ Cup winner, he was an impressive winner of his first two starts, including Doncaster’s Champagne Stakes, although the form of that Group Two does not look strong now. Last of seven in the Dewhurst, after which a chip was discovered in his left fore knee requiring surgery. Was said to be “spot-on” after a mid-April gallop in preparation for the Guineas but was ruled out of that race a week later on the grounds that he needed time to mature, which suggests this may also come too soon for him.

First Selection

Won four of first five, including Sandown’s Solario, but winless in four since being stepped up to top class in October. Only half a length behind Galileo Gold in October after setting steady pace but eight lengths behind that rival in Guineas. Battled back to regain second in French Guineas last time, but trailed The Gurkha by five lengths. Unlikely to get a soft lead with a pacemaker in the field and looks short of the required standard even if the race worked out well for him. Never tried on worse ground than good to soft.

Galileo Gold

Impressive winner of the 2,000 Guineas, staying on strongly despite racing keenly. Also won a Group Two at Glorious Goodwood last summer and finished well into third at Longchamp in October. Had a tough race in Irish Guineas when last seen three weeks ago, being hemmed in by rivals and bumped early, then forced to fight for racing in room in the straight. Awtaad had pinched a winning lead by the time he was in the clear. But that winner also travelled better than him through the race and suspicion that same might again be true on this rain-softened ground.

The Gurkha

Rapid improvement in three starts, powering five lengths clear to win French Guineas on latest start , when First Selection was runner-up. Bare form of that effort might not be enough but he appeared most progressive. Had looked at home on much softer ground in his first two races. Likely to prove hard to beat.

Zonderland

Fair sixth behind Galileo Gold in the Guineas, when his trainer felt he didn’t cope with Newmarket’s Dip very well. Won a Listed race on fast ground at Sandown last time. Suspicion that the ground may have gone against him here, his defeats having all involved some cut in the ground, while his maiden win was on Polytrack. A lot to prove in any case.

– (Guardian service)